I'd like to announce the idea (first proposed by Lefdmae Deemalr Effaeldm) that we should have a group read of the third Gap book, The Gap Into Power: A Dark And Hungry God Arises (ADAHGA), starting in early 2020.

This post will likely be edited many times, because I've put up the chapter list to see if there is interest to help in dissecting the earlier chapters of ADAHGA, and will be adding information as we figure out who is doing what, and what scheduling we decide on. In time, if we can get this rolling well, I hope to include tentative posting dates for the chapter dissection threads. Two such threads have already been written by me back in 2014, and I thought I would simply add fresh posts to bump them up rather than re-write them.

ADAHGA is the Gap book where I feel the story REALLY gets going, and in many interesting directions. It deserves a group read, and I hope to hear what chapters any volunteers would prefer to do. Please feel free to respond in this thread, if you're interested in being a part of this project.

(Spoiler warning: This thread contains spoiler information in the form of chapter summaries, so if you haven't read the Gap as far as the third book, A Dark and Hungry God Arises, I urge you to exit this thread.)

For anybody who does want to do chapter dissections, I request that volunteer dissectors do not discuss anything about the Gap story that takes place after the chapter that is the thread topic, in terms of revealing coming plot details, unless such details are enclosed within spoiler tags.

ADAHGA 1 - Holt
12 pages
Leading post made by Cord Hurn on July 26, 2014
Holt Fasner, the CEO of United Mining Companies, visits his mother Norna. Norna is kept alive well beyond her years by being hooked up to life support machines. Though Norna wishes Holt ill, Holt still values her advice. This time she advises Holt that Warden is using the escape of Angus Thermopyle and Milos Taverner to Billingate and the theft of the gap scout ship Trumpet to get Holt into trouble.

ADAHGA 2 - Warden [1]
7 pages
Leading post made by Cord Hurn on February 1, 2020
Warden Dios and Min Donner watch the departure of Trumpet from UMCPHQ. Min protests that Morn Hyland doesn't deserve to be abandoned, and that she, Min, should be the one to shut down Billingate. Warden tells Min that only Angus and Milos matter; Morn doesn't. Warden asks Min who on the Governing Council supports the UMCP while opposing the parent company UMC. When Min tells him it's Captain Sixten Vertigus, Warden asks her to have him introduce a bill to sever the UMCP from the UMC.

ADAHGA 3 - Milos [1]
6 pages
Leading post made by Cord Hurn on February 10, 2020
On board Trumpet with Angus piloting, Milos is feeling that he's been humiliated and controlled by the UMCP. He hates being chosen to blow up Billingate. He expects that Warden and Hashi Lebwohl want him to be trapped on Thanatos Minor when it destructs while Angus escapes. As they go into the Gap, Milos plans to use his command ability over Angus to humiliate him.

ADAHGA 4 - Ancillary Documentation/Billingate
4 pages
Leading post made by Cord Hurn on February 12, 2020
The installation Billingate on the planetoid Thanatos Minor is the best-defended bootleg shipyard in the galaxy. Its main defense is the Amnion warships that usually remain near it, though the ships of human illegals will also defend the installation. Pirates would go to Billingate to sell ore, buy ships, obtain repairs, and enjoy many debased forms of entertainment. A human called "the Bill" rules this shipyard with the backing of the Amnion. The UMCP is prevented by treaty from entering forbidden space and destroying Billingate, which the Amnion would most certainly consider an act of war against them. And so the official position of the United Mining Companies and Warden Dios is that the costs of war with the Amnion would be much more than the benefits of eliminating piracy.

ADAHGA 5 - Davies [1]
13 pages
Leading post made by Cord Hurn on March 2, 2020
Davies is hurtling through space in an ejection pod, expecting to be collected by the Amnion of Tranquil Hegemony, to be studied as a genetic specimen by them until they decide to turn him into one of them. Davies notices that his pod is now veering away from Tranquil Hegemony, and moving toward Thanatos Minor. He correctly reasons that Morn changed his pod's trajectory, and his monitors shortly thereafter show that his pod is decelerating to a safe speed for docking onto an installation or to be collected by a space ship. He soon sees a ship from the planetoid moving to intercept his pod, and after the pod has been collected, he is ordered out at gunpoint by a guard. In a cold docking bay, he gets questioned by a tall long-faced man with greasy hair and crooked teeth, and by a woman who appears handsomely mature with some gray hair. These two establish that Davies is the son of Morn Hyland and Angus Thermopyle, and that he's been force-grown by the Amnion on Enablement.

ADAHGA 6 - Nick [1]
11 pages
Leading post made by Cord Hurn on March 15, 2020
On the bridge of his ship Captain's Fancy, Nick Succorso is awaiting Billingate's instructions on where to dock. He is informed that he must dock in a place reserved for visitors, and that the Amnion have revoked the value of his credit-jack. His data first Sib Mackern informs Nick that the ship that collected Davies' pod is called Soar and is captained by someone named Sorus Chatelaine. Nick meets the Bill, that tall long-faced man with greasy hair and crooked teeth, in a secured control room within Billingate. The Bill's previous companion, the handsomely mature gray-haired woman, shows up shortly during Nick's negotiations with the Bill. The Bill introduces her to Nick as Sorus Chatelaine, and Nick recognizes her as the woman who cut his cheeks. And she recognizes Nick as her victim from years ago.

ADAHGA 7 - Nick [2]
16 pages
Leading post made by Cord Hurn on March 31, 2020)
Nick feels hope at hearing from Sorus that Milos is coming to Billingate. He excuses himself to head back to his ship. Once aboard, Nick is informed by his command second Mikka Vasaczk that Tranquil Hegemony wants to speak with him. Mikka reacts with angry disbelief when Nick tells her and command third Liete Corregio that Captain Sorus Chatelaine of Soar is the woman who cut his face years ago, and that he's vowed revenge for that. Nick refrains from punishing Mikka, because he sees Liete's absolute loyalty for him glowing from her face. For the second time, Amnion emissary Marc Vestabule boards Nick's ship for negotiations. Marc tells Nick to fulfill his agreements, and demands he turn over Morn. Marc further insists that Nick has only a day to bargain with the Bill to obtain Davies for the Amnion. Liete escorts Marc off the ship, and Mikka, Sib, and Vector object to Nick that they don't like giving Morn to the Amnion. Nick tells them he has no choice.

ADAHGA 8 - Nick [3]
14 pages
Leading post made by Cord Hurn on April 7, 2020
In his quarters, Nick hides Morn's id tag and her zone implant control in a safe, after swallowing a mutagen immunity drug capsule. Via intercom, Mikka tells Nick that Morn is able to walk, though groggy. Nick tells Mikka to meet him at the airlock, where he'll take Morn to the amnion section of Billingate. Nick takes Morn from Mikka at the airlock, and tells Mikka to put together a raiding party. Nick then walks More through Billingate towards the Amnion. Morn doesn't give Nick the satisfaction of seeing her afraid. Marc Vestabule and two guards greet Nick, and Nick turns Morn over to one of the guards, who takes her away, deeper inside the Amnion compound. Marc asks Nick why he really came to Enablement Station. Nick won't admit it's because he'd fallen in love with Morn and wanted to gratify her by giving her a force-grown son she could keep. Instead, he tells Marc he went to Enablement to ensure the job he did for the cops the last time he visited Enablement turned out bad. Marc tells Nick his answer is unsatisfactory, and Nick walks away from him back to his ship. Once inside Captain's Fancy, he heads to his cabin and via intercom asks Liete to join him.

ADAHGA 9 - Milos [2]
11 pages
To be posted by Lord Foul at Cord Hurn's request; tentative posting date ______
Milos and Angus arrive in Trumpet tp Thanatos Minor. The Operations employee at Billingate is suspicious of them because Trumpet is on record as a UMCP ship, and demands to know how Angus escaped lock-up on Com-Mine. Angus admits getting a life sentence for stealing station supplies on Com-Mine, and then states that Milos was assigned to interrogate him. Angus further reveals to Billingate Operations that Milos and Nick framed him, the UMCP requisitioned Angus and Milos, and that Milos arranged to break them out of UMCPHQ before his part in Angus' framing was discovered. When Operations asks how they will pay for their stay, Milos states he has a safe account and gives the information for verification. Operations soon tells them they can dock, and Angus tells Milos it's because the Bill is too curious to discover what relationship they have to the plans of Nick and the Amnion to send them away. As Angus is programming helm to follow Operations' docking instructions, Milos tells him to stop and listen. Milos tells Angus he loathes him and loathes acting like his subordinate. Then he commands Angus to lick his body clean. When Angus is finished with that, Milos orders Angus to allow him unrestricted access to ship communications.

ADAHGA 10 - Ancillary Documentation/United Mining Companies: A Brief History
4 pages
To be posted by StevieG at Cord Hurn's request; tentative posting date May 12, 2020
The reason the UMC became such a controlling force in human affairs is that it had great economic muscle. When Dr. Juanita Estevez discovered the gap drive on SpaceLab Station, SpaceLab's owners were sovereign enough that no government could control its products. SpaceLab Inc. becomes Sagittarius Exploration (SagEx), and the new corporation SagEx discovers an ore-rich asteroid field which can be reached only by using the gap drive. But SagEx hasn't the corporate resources to take advantage of its find, so Space Mines Inc. starts a partnership with SagEx to mine this asteroid field. SMI gained enough power to be a major force in exploring and developing space. SMI acquired Intertech after that company was devastated by the Humanity Riots, and used InterTech's resources to help capitalize on the opportunity of trade with the Amnion, Earth's governments re-chartered SMI as the United Mining Companies, and gave it the mission of developing trade with the Amnion. This is the UMC's public history.

ADAHGA 11 - Warden [2]
32 pages
Leading post made by Cord Hurn on August 8, 2014
The Governing Council for Earth and Space (GCES) demands Warden hold a video conference with them to discuss Milos aiding Angus in escape from UMCPHQ. Warden and Hashi submit to questioning by GCES president Abrim Len, by other Council members, and by investigator Maxim Igensard. Hashi explains that the Preempt Act gave UMCP authority to investigate corruption on Com-Mine, and that led him to requisitioning Angus and Milos to UMCPHQ. Maxim demands to know what kind of use were the police making out of Morn Hyland. Hashi replies that she was given to Nick for his protection while they were sending Nick on a mission to Billingate with supposed mutagen immunity pills. Min gets progressively angrier with Hashi as he justifies his use of Morn to Maxim by saying it's in the cause of doing damage to the forces that weaken humanity against the Amnion. Min is ready to leap for Hashi on-camera as he states Morn was for Nick as something to sell if he was trapped or caught with fake immunity drugs. Maxim calls Hashi's behavior vile, and Warden declares the questioning finished, stating "we don't deserve insults from small men with big titles." Warden feels that parting shot of a remark will ensure that the GCES will keep investigating the UMCP. Warden says they can arrange another occasion to discuss this after President Len teaches Maxim better manners. Warden orders the video downlink with GCES severed. Godsen protests to Warden that he's made the UMCP look like garbage. Warden returns that they've put Milos in a position where he can go only one direction if he chooses to betray them, and that Angus' programming has him watching for that. Min wants to know from Warden if all that was said about Morn was true. Warden confirms this, and Min objects that now that they've got Angus as their cyborg, they don't need Nick. And because they don't need Nick, Min further argues, Angus should have been programmed to rescue Morn. Warden states that Morn and Nick had become "irretrievably compromised" by their trip to Enablement Station. Hashi wheezes that he hopes Angus can destroy them. Min storms out of the room, Warden orders Godsen to leave, and Hashi volunteers to leave so he can rest from the conference ordeal. Now alone in the media conference room, Warden reflects that he himself has now been irretrievably compromised.

ADAHGA 12 - Ancillary Documentation/United Mining Companies: A Brief History (Continued)
4 pages
The UMC's private history is tied to the ambition and genius of Holt Fasner and Warden Dios. Holt spent over a century building Space Mines Inc from an small ore smelter operation to a major player in the exploration and development of space. His policy of bold exploration, his luck at being in the right place at the right time, his ruthlessness in doing what it took to extend SMI's power until it had a monopoly on legal dealings with the Amnion, all served him well in his pursuit of greater influence in the galaxy. To counter the imperialistic threat of the Amnion, Holt strengthened the UMCP. Holt's UMCP director Warden had no normal bonds with other people, family or otherwise, growing up orphaned among guttergangs and violence. Warden reportedly had idealism that the police should be there to impose beneficial order upon destructive chaos, to protect the weak and vulnerable from harm and to protect society from internal and external threats. Warden is the one responsible for seeing that the UMCP grows to become the most powerful division of the UMC. Many came to consider Warden more dangerous than his boss Holt, because he came to be seen as more crucial to humankind's survival than Holt. Any useful study of the UMC had to take into consideration both the public and private histories involved with this organization.

ADAHGA 13 - Morn [1]
6 pages
Morn Hyland is sitting in her Amnion prison cell, just after some Amnion genetic technicians have injected her with mutagens and left her alone. She suspects the Amnion want to study her as the mutagen affects her, in hopes that they can discover how to create Amnion that look fully human rather than looking like the hybrid Marc Vestabule. Morn has mutagen immunity drug capsules, stolen from Nick and hidden in a deep pocket of her shipsuit. While she wants to keep taking these capsules at regular intervals, she worries the Amnion will detect their presence in one of her blood samples, thus learning to counteract the immunity drug. Despite her situation, she is determined to cling to her fear of the Amnion as a means of avoiding surrendering to their purposes. Then she remembers Nick saying the immunity drug is more like an inert presence that binds up the mutagens from working, then gets flushed from the system along with the mutagens. She recalls Nick telling her the immunity of each capsule is only effective for about four hours. She hopes the Amnion at Billingate don't have the resources to research a newly-designed mutagen that can overcome the power of the binders. And she just keeps hoping to live for a few more hours at a time.

ADAHGA 14 - Angus [1]
16 pages
Angus is piloting Trumpet towards Thanatos Minor and preparing to dock on it soon, while dealing with a mouth tasting of ash and excrement and with a cyborg programming that relentlessly shows him information about Thanatos Minor and Billingate capabilities. Angus has recorded all of Milos' coded conversations, and is trying to de-code them. Angus also feels glee at getting closer to Thanatos Minor, certain he can escape UMCP control there, somehow. He wonders what Warden meant when telling him "We've committed a crime against your soul", and "it's got to stop". He approves of his programming recording everything Milos says or does, as this reveals the UMCP never trusted Milos, as Angus himself doesn't. Angus and Milos get rest. Hours later, Angus awakes to traffic information from Billingate, and finds himself wishing he could rescue Morn. He and Milos dock at one of Billingate's ports. Angus unbuckles himself and promises Milos he's never seen anything like Billingate. They step out of the ship to tell Billingate guards their names so as to establish credit lines with the Bill. Then Angus and Milos head for the Ease-n-Sleaze, a combination hotel and bar within Billingate. They check into the hotel, get adjacent rooms, and discover them to be splotched and stained with smoke residue. Angus warns Milos that both of their rooms have been bugged by the Bill, suggest they go to the bar to get drunk. Milos counters that he's ready to do that, and they head out of the hotel.

ADAHGA 15 - Angus [2]
15 pages
To be posted by Avatar at Cord Hurn's request, tentative posting date July 10, 2020
Angus and Milos are going to the Ease-n-Sleaze bar for a drink, and once there, they see Nick sitting at a dingy table in a dim corner. Angus would like to kill Nick for framing him and taking Morn, but his programming and Milos' commands won't allow that, so he and Milos go to sit with Nick. Angus notes where the listening devices and cameras are, and after Milos brings their drinks, Angus confronts two men hanging on to a drunk woman wearing one of the Bill's wires, saying he doesn't like the way she looks at him. He demands her two companions take her to a table further away, and they comply. Then he, Milos, and Nick discuss Angus' framing and Milos' resources with the UMCPDA, doing so as carefully as they can while under the Bill's surveillance. Then a stage show starts, featuring a woman who mutilates herself with a long knife. Angus uses the distraction of her show to destroy all of the Bill's nearby cameras and listening devices with literal laser-precision. Nick tells Angus and Milos that Morn has a son named Davies that is wanted by the Amnion. Nick also states he is here on Billingate as an assignment for Hashi Lebwohl, and that he knows Hashi is the reason Angus and Milos are on Billingate. Nick says he knows Milos is working for Angus and not the other way around, and he offers to help them retrieve Morn if they'll help him acquire Davies. Angus quickly agrees to this, to Milos' dismay and Nick's delight.

ADAHGA 16 - Angus [3]
11 pages
Deep inside, Angus is elated to find out that he has been programmed to rescue Morn. He realizes that Warden switched his datacore out to accomplish this very purpose, and that Warden's directors aren't privy to Warden's desire to retrieve Morn. Angus can see that Milos also wasn't privy to that desire, as Milos' face appears completely stunned. Angus comprehends that Nick just made a lucky guess that Morn was their object, and he wonders why Warden wanted to keep a rescue of Morn a secret from his directors. Angus tells Nick he can be a distraction while Morn is rescued, and that they'll create an alibi for him. Milos objects that rescuing Morn isn't their purpose, and mutters that Angus will regret this. Angus tells Nick to approach the Bill to offer to buy back Davies while he and Milos break Davies out of his cell. Nick agrees, and leaves to flirt with the drunken woman wearing the Bill's wire, planning to soon take her out of the bar. Milos orders Angus to abort this mission, and Angus plays back a message for Milos from Warden, a message telling Milos it was necessary to conceal Morn's rescue mission, and that all would be explained when he gets back to UMCPHQ. Milos orders Angus to take and chew a burning nic, which Angus does, and as they leave the bar Angus disables the drunk woman's surveillance equipment. Milos and Angus return to their adjoining rooms, and Milos takes out his frustration by continuing to use Angus' mouth as an ashtray.

ADAHGA 17 - Nick [4]
18 pages
Nick remains in the Ease-n-Sleaze bar, caressing the drunken woman wearing one of the Bill's (now disabled) wires. She asks him to take her to a hotel room, and Nick complies by renting a room. Once inside it, they have sex and then Nick presses her to tell him where the Bill keeps his prisoners. Once he gets the answer, he uses the room's computer to relay the holding cell locations to Angus and Milos via a coded message routed through Captain's Fancy's communications system. Nick leaves the woman and heads back to his ship, and when on the bridge tells his crew he can bargain with the Bill by selling him mutagen immunity pills. Then Nick tells Mikka and Sib to find out where Sorus' crew hangs out for leisure on Billingate, and go there to start a rumor that Sorus has mutagen immunity pills. Nick then orders Vector and Pup to talk to the Bill's shipyard foreman about gap drive parts and their installation. Mikka, Sib, Vector, and Pup know that Nick is trying to get rid of them, but they seem to have no choice but to comply. They leave the bridge to gather their things and depart the ship. Shortly afterwards Nick also departs the ship to go talk with the Bill.

ADAHGA 18 - Davies [2]
14 pages
Davies is pacing in his cell, which is just big enough (six steps by five steps) for him to exercise some of his boredom, fear, and frustration out of his system. He reflects that only his mother and the Amnion seem to care if he lives, and the Amnion only want him to live for experiments and to ultimately make him one of them. Davies' hope is that the Bill will interrogate him again soon, and he gradually wears himself out from pacing. He falls asleep, and is woken by the Bill's mocking voice. He sees the Bill at his cell door with the handsome middle-aged woman he had seen before. She has an electric prod tucked into the front of her shipsuit. Davies doesn't see why he should have to cooperate with them, but the Bill points out that it could matter to whom he gets sold. Davies gets the disturbing news from the Bill that Nick turned Morn over to the Amnion. While dismayed at hearing this, Davies tells them Morn may be immune to mutagens. The woman with the electric prod tells the Bill that Morn and Nick may indeed be working together for the UMCP, and she guesses that Nick will offer the Bill the antimutagen. She and the Bill discuss Nick meeting with Angus and Milos, which stuns Davies. The Bill asks Davies what all that means, and Davies says he guesses that Nick is trying to plant a story that the Bill is selling antimutagens. The Bill leaves in frustration, and the woman identifies herself as the one who cut Nick's cheeks. She adds she'd have killed Nick if he had looked at her then the way Davies is looking at her now. She promises she will be back, then leaves the cell.

ADAHGA 19 - Ancillary Documentation/Governing Council for Earth and Space
5 pages
The Governing Council for Earth and Space has a history of growing in a haphazard way over time. Its Members took themselves seriously in matters of jurisprudence, charters, and policy as if they were responsible for humankind's survival. Back when industrial platforms and research facilities were first being put into space, Earth's governments saw the need for an agency to coordinate launches and orbits. But this Agency became increasingly important for having legal force for resolving disputes. Representation within this Agency became more and more important for Earth's sovereign nations. This Agency came to be responsible for jurisdiction over Earth's nations as well as jurisdiction over human activity in space. Earth's leaders became Members of this Agency, and Earth's nations became combined to form six bodies represented by two Members apiece to the Agency, which by this time became known as the Governing Council for Earth and Space. Each space station also had representation on the GCES, one Member for each station. People like Holt Fasner worked to influence the GCES to rule over Earth, but to have less authority over space. He worked to keep the number of Member small and thus more manageable. Fasner arranged things so that Members were either directly or indirectly representing UMC interests, or those Members were getting paid off. Holt made sure that the real power in human space belonged to himself.

ADAHGA 20 - Min [1]
18 pages
UMCP Enforcement Division director Min Donner takes a shuttle from the UMCPHQ station orbiting Earth down to the GCES headquarters at Suka Bator on a Pacific island. Min is traveling incognito, and once at Suka Bator takes back passages to get to GCES Member Sixten Veritgus' office. Sixten has reservations about being of use to Min, feeling he is too old, and could be betrayed by some of his staff. He informs Min that he never trusted Holt Fasner, as his two meetings with Holt convinced him that Holt would always be for self-interest over all other considerations. Min remarks that she picked the right person in Sixten for the job she has in mind to do. Min tells Sixten she wants him to introduce a Bill of Severance to put the police force under the GCES instead of under the UMC, and to introduce it the following day. Min explains to Sixten that when the UMC took over Intertech, it found out that Intertech was close to completing research on an antimutagen drug. Min further relates that Warden ordered the research continued, but was countermanded by Holt after Godsen met with Holt. Min states that incident, plus the recent UMCP video conference, persuaded her that the police can only defend humanity if Holt isn't their boss. Sixten agrees, then Min sees a kaze and tells Sixten to take shelter. Min kills the kaze, then leaves for UMCPHQ.

ADAHGA 21 - Min [2]
13 pages
Min takes a shuttle from Suka Bator to UMCPHQ, slowly regaining her hearing along the way. She tells on of the shuttle crew she needs to speak to Warden as soon as possible. Five minutes later, Min is speaking to Warden in a secured room. Min tells Warden the kaze was likely sent by someone with access to CMOS-SOD chips, so not likely to be a native Earther, but someone who is a high-level traitor with the UMC. Warden stuns Min by telling her that the police have in a sense forced Angus and the other illegals to embrace the Amnion and their shipyards. Min protests that assertion, saying it's absurd. Warden insists that the heavy police enforcement makes the Amnion look more attractive to captains like Angus. Warden further states that pirates wouldn't be such a danger to humanity if their piracy wasn't so aggressively prosecuted. With sadness, Min hears him say that because they serve the UMC instead of the public, piracy will continue to flourish. Min asks why is Warden telling her this, and he answers it's because he wants her to survive the current legal drama surrounding Angus' escape, so that she can be the next police director. He clarifies to her that he didn't quash the research Intertech made for a mutagen immunity drug, as much as take over that research so Hashi would have the drug. Warden says he owes Min an explanation because she nearly died from that kaze and no doubt feels guilt over Sixten's secretary dying from the kaze. Min tells Warden that Sixten will introduce the bill of severance. Warden tells Min that the GCES won't reconvene until more is known about the kaze.

ADAHGA 22 - Ancillary Documentation/Transcript Of A Commissioning Address Delivered By Warden Dios To Cadets Of The United Mining Companies Police Academy On The Occasion Of Their First Assignment
5 pages
Warden tells UMCP cadets that their intense study of mock-up situations is over and they're ready to face the real galaxy. He tells them the police stand against the Amnion and are responsible for the continued existence of the entire human race in the universe. Warden states to the cadets that they are utterly unique in the history of human law enforcement, because if they fail to contain Amnion imperialism humanity will be conquered and mutated. The UMCP director says that serving humankind requires a special responsiveness to the human spirit that won't violate the desires and freedoms of the people they serve. Dios insists to his listeners that they must avoid misusing their power in becoming arbiters, by being diligent about how and when their power is used. He compares the police resisting piracy and the Amnion to fighting a virus, but warns that abusing police power in that resistance is akin to causing a cancer within. Dios tells the audience that the cancer is more devastating than the virus. He warns the cadets that the police will function as a cancer if they do not seek to limit their powers, that they must stay dedicated to remaining as antibodies of humanity. Warden posits that it's not as important for police officers to be measured by the degree of their successes, as it is to be measured by the quality of their service. He proclaims that it's time for them to get to work, and receives prolonged applause from the police cadets.

ADAHGA 23 - Liete [1]
4 pages
Captain's Fancy command third Liete Corregio, with the wind of dread and doom blowing in her ears, is running the ship while it is docked and Nick remains within Billingate. She is certain she'll never countermand Nick's orders, and recalls she went through trying times to facilitate whatever Nick wanted or needed to happen. Disloyalty to Nick is unthinkable for Liete, now. On the bridge, she deals with data and damage control system readouts, and notes with approval the crewmembers she considers very productive as work partners. She then speaks to the bridge crew, telling them she doesn't have answers for any of their questions but that she's sure following Nick's orders will be for the best for them all. Liete tells them anyone who doesn't trust Nick to leave ship like Mikka or else go hide somewhere. She tells them they should all consider themselves on battle-alert. They all quietly await the moment when Nick said his orders could be carried out if he hadn't yet returned. Liete has her bridge crew run the checklists like the ship is readying to return to deep space, while the wind blowing in her ears hints at ruin. Liete instructs communications to be monitored, and to lock scan on Soar at all times. Liete has the ship subtly firing up and she deactivates the docking failsafes for a quick getaway from Billingate. Liete is sure she will be following Nick's orders regardless of the consequences.

ADAHGA 24 - Mikka
11 pages
Mikka Vasaczk and Sib Mackern are sitting at a table in a Billingate bar called Paunchys. Mikka was told by Nick that he needed her to start a rumor within earshot of some of Soar's crew that Sorus has mutagen immunity pills. Nick claimed this task needed to be done so the Bill will be primed to deal with him, but Mikka feels it's some kind of way for Nick to get rid of her because she doesn't trust him. But she speaks the rumor within hearing of some of Sorus' crew because she believes Nick is keeping her brother Pup (Ciro) aboard Captain's Fancy, and thus Pup's safety is in Nick's hands. Once those crewmembers move away from her or leave the bar, Mikka decides she won't repeat the rumor any further, as she's done with helping Nick and considers that she and Sib will end up being tortured by the Bill if they keep repeating the rumor. Mikka tells Sib that Pup is her brother. Soon, Mikka sees that Vector and Pup are in the bar, and she is tearful with relief that Nick hasn't got Pup anymore. Vector states he looked up the records of ship's expenditures on Billingate, and figured out that Mikka and Sib were drinking at Paunchys on Nick's credit. Vector tells Pup that Nick isn't getting off Thanatos Minor, and that they didn't obey Nick's orders to check in with the shipyard for drive parts because Nick's just trying to get rid of them because they don't trust him. Sib admits he let Morn out of her cabin so that she could change the trajectory of the ejection pod containing Davies. Then Mikka and Vector admit to Pup that they also helped Morn. Pup indicates that he supports them. Vector says they need to know what Nick's doing before making a plan, and Sib states Nick is trying to get revenge upon Sorus. Mikka says they should watch Trumpet to discern what Nick is doing. Vector supports her idea, and so the four of them head for that ship.

ADAHGA 25 - Angus [4]
11 pages
Angus' mouth is full of ash and his tongue blistered from Milos using it as an ashtray. Angus stops trying to slip past his zone implant restraints to kill Milos, because he senses it's become time to rescue Davies from imprisonment by the Bill and Sorus. His zone implants ease his oral pain to make speech easier, and after Angus gets news from Milos that a message has been sent to Trumpet, he tells Milos that they should leave the Ease-n-Sleaze complex and get started. When they can talk away from wires and spies, Milos tells Angus that Nick's message said the Bill has interrogation cells somewhere down in Billingate's command complex. Angus knows where those cells are from past experience. Milos wants to know how they can get Davies out. Angus realizes he's equipped with emitters that can bend light around him and Milos to make them difficult to detect by the Bill's monitors. Milos insists he can't help Angus if Angus doesn't speak of his plan. Angus says Milos must stay close to him and keep his mouth shut to avoid notice by the Bill's bugeyes and wires. They take a lift down to the level of the interrogation cells. Angus uses his lasers to shoot two cyborg guards by one of the cell doors. With Milos following closely, Angus goes to the cell door and unlocks it. Opening the cell, he sees Davies and realizes he is Davies' father. Milos curses and Davies screams. Davies punches Angus as Angus jams the bugeyes in Davies' cell.

ADAHGA 26 - Davies [3]
12 pages
Davies instantly recalls Morn's memories of Angus raping and brutalizing her, experiences himself as her, and throws a punch at Angus' face. Angus deflects the punch by stepping aside, then he gets Davies into an armlock and slams him against the wall, telling Davies to be quiet so he can be rescued. As Davies has his head filled with memories of how Morn dealt with Angus, he doesn't answer Angus, but understands that he needs allies at this moment in order to escape from the Bill and Sorus, and so stays quiet. With Milos' help, Angus moves Davies from the cell to a nearby lift. When the lift opens on another floor, Angus tosses out Milos' pack of nic to distract the guard, and shoots the guard. The three of them walk across the Reception area as casually as they can, then make their way to docks and finally get inside Trumpet's airlock. Angus whoops in triumph, and Milos demands to know how Angus can be sure the Bill won't arrest them for taking Davies. Angus reveals he has miniaturized emitters than can bend light and cloak them from the Bill's cameras. When the inner airlock opens, Davies steps inside Trumpet quickly, then turns around and accuses Angus of raping him. Angus sneers at this, and exclaims that Davies must have gotten Morn's mind imprinted by being force-grown. As Angus remarks that Davies thinks he's the one who killed his whole family, Davies suddenly has mental access to the moment when Morn got gap-sickness and caused the self-destruct of Starmaster. The memory makes Davies go into a fetal position, clutching himself hard as he sinks to the floor.

ADAHGA 27 - Angus [5]
18 pages
Aboard Trumpet, Angus feels strangely dismayed at seeing Davies so distraught, and realizes Davies' emotional condition is an effect of Davies' mind being copied from Morn. Angus then realizes he fears Davies will be considered damaged merchandise, thus removing any leverage he has of getting back Morn from Nick by trading Davies. Angus curses, and Milos declares it's not Davies' fault he resembles Angus. Angus asks Milos if he's trying to help Nick deprive him of getting Morn. Milos sincerely denies this, and says Nick's problem is obtaining Davies for the Amnion, just as he stated. Angus angrily demands Milos help move Davies, and Milos complies. As they take Davies from the airlock to the bridge, Angus realizes that Davies is recalling the gap-sickness experience where she killed her family, and regretfully reflects that his treatment of Morn might be making Davies merchandise useless for trading. On the bridge, Angus activates a message from the Bill informing him Billingate's security was breached and Angus must explain it. Milos fears the Bill knows they abducted Davies, but Angus says it's because they were seen talking to Nick. Milos gets more nic while they both wait for Nick (ha-ha). When Nick arrives, Angus opens the airlock for him. Nick offers to swap Morn's id tag for Davies, and promises he'll bring Morn back to Angus and Milos to trade her for the id tag. Angus snatches the id tag, and insists that Nick can't have Davies until he brings them Morn. Nick tells them to kiss Morn good-bye, and walks to the bridge exit to leave the ship. Davies, grabs at Nick's legs as Nick punches and kicks back. Angus' programming at first won't let him interfere, but Milos shouts out concern about Nick wounding Davies, so Angus acts to prevent Milos from giving him a "Joshua order" in front of Nick. Angus tells Nick to cease beating Davies, but Nick won't comply. So, Angus' computer reasons that Morn may value Davies, so it allows Angus to interfere with Nick's punching at Davies. Angus throws Nick against the bulkhead, and when Nick charges him he punches Nick in the forehead. Davies tells Angus and Milos that Nick doesn't have Morn, because he already gave her to the Amnion. Angus's programming makes the decision to rescue Morn, and when he says they'll rescue Morn, Davies fervently agrees. Nick comes around enough to tell Davies that Angus is being forced to work for the cops, and that Milos is probably keeping an eye on Angus for the cops. Angus tells Nick that Milos has been in radio contact with the Amnion, which stuns Nick in a different kind of way. Angus tells Nick to join them in rescuing Morn or get off the ship. Nick refuses to join them, and stomps off the ship. Davies gets confirmation from Angus that Morn blew up Starmaster. Then Angus realizes Milos is nowhere to be found aboard Trumpet.

ADAHGA 28 - Sorus
13 pages
Sorus Chatelaine walks into the Bill's strongroom to find him fuming. Sorus informs him of rumors she's dealing in immunity drugs. Sorus asks what's wrong with him, and he tells her Davies has been removed from his cell. They both look at camera recordings from Davies's cell and from three of the Bill's guards. All they can see is a slight smudge, lasers appearing to kill the guards, Davies sending a fist to a smudged image, and then see Davies cell to be empty. Sorus speculates the Amnion are behind abducting Davies, but the Bill doubts that. Sorus states they need to know who started the rumor she's selling immunity drugs. They view camera recordings of Mikka and Sib at Paunchys bar, but neither the Bill nor Sorus recognizes them. The Bill has a duty officer identify them, and learns their names and that they are crewmembers of Captain's Fancy. Sorus says that Nick must have snatched Davies away, but the Bill says that's impossible because Nick was talking to him when Davies disappeared. Then, Sorus reasons, Angus and Milos must have taken Davies. The Bill checks the camera recording of the Ease-n-Sleaze room rented by Angus and Milos. He and Sorus see Milos say their mission to destroy the Bill must be a trick, and then they incredulously view Milos ordering Angus to accept his mouth being used as an ashtray. The Bill fast-forwards the camera recordings, and informs Sorus that Nick sent a coded message to Captain's Fancy, and then plays at normal speed a moment when Milos informs Angus they got a coded message. Sorus asks where Angus and Milos go, and the Bill says the two of them vanish into Billingate's crowds and could not be traced. The Bill cannot believe that Angus or Milos possess a light-refractive jamming field, as such equipment is known to be bulky, so he doesn't believe Davies is aboard Trumpet. Sorus and the Bill both worry that the Amnion are helping Nick, Angus, and Milos. Sorus silently vows to not go down in destruction with Billingate, so she leaves to board her ship Soar and take it out to space. She promises the Bill she will be focused on getting answers from Calm Horizons. This satisfies the Bill, and he promises to let her undock. The Bill gets word from his duty officer that Milos has left Trumpet and is heading for the Amnion sector. The Bill orders his duty officer to have Milos followed and to put a team together to cut into Trumpet and capture who's there, and to bar Nick from Captain's Fancy. Sorus leaves for her ship, determined to tell the Amnion she hasn't betrayed them.

Last edited by Cord Hurn on Tue May 26, 2020 7:23 pm; edited 55 times in total

In the next ADAHGA chapter, Nick finally crosses a line by walking Morn over to the Amnion sector of Billingate and handing Morn to them. Morn's spirit isn't broken like Nick hoped, and Nick doesn't get the credit from the Amnion for which he'd hoped. The dissection thread for this chapter is now up, and a shortcut to that dissection thread can be reached by clicking on the following title: